Consultant - Mid-term Project Evaluator

1. Rationale for evaluation

The midterm evaluation serves to measure the achievement of the objectives of the project led by Marsa Sexual Health Center since 01/12/2021 and assess the effectiveness of the project during its first two years. It will serve to monitor the relationship between the partners, the efficiency of the work that has been conducted, whether it maintains to serve the goal in the volatile and unstable environment in Lebanon, and whether it is feasible to maintain the project objectives despite the challenges of the country.

2. Project brief

The project aims to reduce barriers and decentralize access to sexual and reproductive health for vulnerable populations in Lebanon.

3. Evaluation criteria and questions 

The evaluation will examine the project implementation against the hereunder criteria by addressing the following questions. The evaluator will develop a more detailed analytical framework of questions and sub-questions to carry out the evaluation. Therefore, this questionnaire is not final and the selected evaluator should review this list with Marsa team.

1. Relevance and strategic fit of the project:

• To what extent the project objectives and outcomes are relevant to the needs of the beneficiaries?  
• To what extent have the project’s action so far contributed to improving access to sexual and reproductive health services in Lebanon?
• To what extent have the project’s actions contributed to the decentralization of sexual and reproductive health services in Lebanon?
• Should the project design and methodology be modified to improve its relevance in the second half of the project? If so, how?  

2. Project  progress and effectiveness

• What has been achieved so far? 
• What are the major challenges? 
• What measures are required to improve the capacity of the project partners in the second half of the project? 

3. Efficiency of resource use

• Have resources (funds, human resources, time, expertise, etc.) been allocated strategically to achieve outcomes? 

4. Effectiveness of management Arrangements (including monitoring and evaluation)

• Has the project received adequate technical and administrative support? 
• Was there a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities by all parties involved? 
• How effective is communication between the project partners, and team of L’Initiative?

5. Sustainability and Impact of the project

• How effectively has the project built necessary capacity of people and healthcare providers participating in the project?
• What good practices have been implemented during the first half of the project to adapt to Lebanon’s volatile and changing context?
• How likely the project will achieve its objectives in the second half of the project and what elements need to be taken into account to ensure sustainability of outcomes? 

4. Methodology   

The evaluation will be carried out in a participatory manner to ensure the involvement of key stakeholders the project partners and the donor.

The evaluation will be carried out between April 15 and June 1st 2024, with a final report being available by June 1st , 2024.

The following method will be used as a minimum to collect information: 

Review and analysis of documents related to the project, including:

• Project documents: Semi-annual financial and narrative reports, and monitoring tools.
• Project outputs: communication material and other documents/campaigns created during the evaluation period

The desk review will allow the evaluator to make initial findings that in turn may point to additional or fine-tuned questions. 

Field visits and interviews:

A first list of interviewees will be handed to the evaluator before starting the evaluation. The evaluator will undertake group/individual discussions with the Lead organization, the implementing partners, and direct beneficiaries of the project.

5. Main outputs

The main outputs of the evaluation will be comprised of:

              Refined evaluation questions

Upon review of the available documents and an initial discussion, the evaluator will develop a detailed analytical framework of questions and sub-questions, based on the evaluation questions defined in this ToR, and consistent with Results-Based monitoring framework. 

              Evaluation report             The evaluation report should be comprised of at least the following chapters:

1. Title page
2. Table of contents
3. Executive summary
4. Body of the report:
   1. Project background
   2. Evaluation background
   3. Methodology
   4. Main findings
   5. Coordination and communication assessment 

1. Conclusions
2. Lessons learnt and good practices
3. Recommendations
4. Appendices  

The main evaluation report should be concise and not exceed 15 pages, excluding annexes (supporting data and details can be included in annexes).

Time frame and work plan:

Phase 1: April 15 - May 2 (16 days)

• Brief by project coordinator
• Review of project related documents
• Elaborate precise evaluation questions
• Field visits when possible and meetings with project stakeholders

Phase 2: May 3 - May 23 (18 days)

• Prepare first draft of evaluation report and send for feedback
• Organize a feedback session to share the main lessons learned and recommendations with all project partners

Phase 3: May 24 - June 1st (8 days)

• Finalize and present final report

6. Degrees & Qualifications

• University degree in social sciences, NGO management, or relevant field.
• At least 5 years of experience in evaluating projects.
• Experience working in non-governmental organizations.
• Proficiency in English and Arabic is a must, French is a plus.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.